An air conditioner (AC) working correctly should be able to cool approximately 550 square feet per ton of the AC unit. According to the Salt River Project, a utilities company in Arizona, a residential AC unit in good repair and appropriately sized for the square footage in the residence, should be able to cool the home five degrees in two hours.

On the Other: Seasonal Factors

The temperature an AC unit should keep a home is ultimately based on the resident's perception of a comfortable temperature. There are a number of environmental factors, such as humidity, weather and the age and efficiency of the home, to weigh when determining what temperature to keep a home throughout the year. Additionally, depending on the amount of time spent in the home, the temperature might fluctuate throughout the day. Green energy standards say that a home should not be cooled when you're not in the house. A temperature of 82 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended when not home, to cool to 78 to 80 when returning home. Talk to your local utility company to get regional recommendations.

Bottom Line

The temperature of a home is ultimately decided by the comfort level and preferences of the resident. To determine the temperatures that an air conditioner should maintain, the size and efficiency of the air conditioning unit, along with regional and environmental factors, must be examined. Due to regional differences in humidity and temperatures, a concrete temperature is not set for all air conditioning units. The local utility company can give recommendations based on regional standards and factors.

Source:

SRP: Air Conditioning

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